National Guard to support US Youth Soccer

(FRISCO, TEXAS – February 13, 2012) - US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sports organization in the nation, announced a new partnership with the Army National Guard.

As part of the agreement, the National Guard will be the presenting sponsor of the storied US Youth Soccer National Championship Series at the Regional and National Championship levels. The Series involves more than 10,000 teams annually and crowns the 12 national champions in the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups for boys and girls.

US Youth Soccer will also provide the National Guard an opportunity to utilize the new online education platform (education.usyouthsoccer.org) for leadership coursework in addition to access to other US Youth Soccer programing and channels to promote the National Guard's focus on leadership principles and development.

"Our partnership with the National Guard highlights two important groups – our young athletes and the coaches that help shape these young athletes with their leadership, and the men and women who serve our country," said Jim Cosgrove, US Youth Soccer executive director. "US Youth Soccer is comprised of more than 3 million youth players and 1 million adults engaged in the game. Not only are our members passionate about soccer and furthering their skills but they are a very loyal and patriotic group, and we are proud to partner with the National Guard to help showcase their impact to our members."

The Army National Guard is the oldest component of the U.S. Armed Forces and one of the longest enduring U.S. institutions, operating in all 50 states, D.C. and three U.S. territories.

"It is a very exciting opportunity for the Army National Guard to partner with US Youth Soccer and specifically the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series events where the nation's finest are preparing and testing themselves against the best each year. With the outstanding dedicated membership of US Youth Soccer, our partnership is a great fit to communicate the great service, benefits and opportunities the National Guard has to offer current and future generations," said Major Brian Creech, Chief of Army National Guard Marketing.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

Media Request: When referring to the United States Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sports organization in the United States, please refer to the association only as US Youth Soccer, and never as USYS or USYSA. We appreciate your cooperation.

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